At present, nearly 10,000 students in Bangladesh are learning through the Kumon Method.
Through regular practice and a self-learning approach, these students are progressing several years ahead of their designated school grade. Brac Kumon has recognised 3,413 students from Dhaka and Chattogram for their dedication and academic progress through this method.
“Brac Kumon ASHR 2026 (Advanced Student Honour Roll)” was held on Friday, April 24 at the Multipurpose Hall of Brac University.
Organised in two sessions, the event brought together students, parents, Kumon instructors, and guests from various institutions.
The event was attended by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj and Saida Shinichi, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh.
The program was chaired by Asif Saleh, executive director of Brac and chairperson of Brac Kumon Limited.
Speaking at the event, Bobby Hajjaj said that there are nearly 20 million primary-level students in the country, and improving the quality of primary education remains a key priority.
He noted that understanding how methods like Kumon support learning outcomes could help identify ways to scale such approaches more broadly, and emphasised the importance of collaboration between government and private sector partners.
Ambassador Saida Shinichi said that the recognition marks not only a celebration of academic achievement but also an important step in building confidence and self-awareness among students.
He also shared that he himself had been a Kumon student and had completed up to Level I, reflecting on his personal connection with the method.
Asif Saleh said that Kumon develops the ability of students to learn independently. Once this learning ability is acquired, students are able to adapt to any change. In a competitive world, there is no alternative for students in Bangladesh but to develop this learning ability in order to succeed. Brac will work with the government on how this learning ability can be expanded among students across the country.
Nehal Bin Hasan, chief business officer of Brac Kumon, presented on the Kumon Method and how it supports students’ learning and development.
He highlighted that the Kumon English program strengthens reading comprehension, an essential skill for academic success, admission tests, and everyday life.
ASHR recognises students who are able to study one to five years or more ahead of their school grade level through structured and regular practice. This year’s recognition reflects a growing number of learners in Bangladesh developing the habit of independent learning.
This year’s ASHR was organised under the theme ‘The Japanese Spirit of Mastery’, incorporating elements of Japanese culture. In addition to a live Taiko drum performance, activities such as Manga and Shodō art created a distinctive experience for participating children.
Brac Kumon began its journey in 2017 with a single centre in Dhanmondi and now operates 35 centres across Dhaka and Chittagong, serving nearly 10,000 students.
Alongside academic advancement, the program places strong emphasis on developing students’ self-learning ability, confidence, discipline, and long-term learning habits.
Representatives from Brac, Kumon Institute of Education, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), MUFG Bank Ltd., Ekmattra Entrepreneurs Ltd., Bangladesh SEZ Ltd. and Brac University, among other institutions, were present at the event.
The event was supported by Aarong, Brac Bank, Aarong Dairy, IPDC Finance PLC, and other partner organizations.